AHRQ Evidence Practice Centers Examining Parkinson's Disease, Bioterrorism, Stroke, and 12 Other Health Care Topics

Press Release Date: October 16, 2000

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) today announced 15 new research topics for AHRQ's Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPCs). The EPCs will conduct rigorous, comprehensive reviews of the relevant scientific literature on these topics, including meta-analyses and cost analyses, if appropriate. AHRQ publishes its findings as evidence reports or technology assessments, which are available to the public, health care community, and researchers.

"These topics represent the array of questions and challenges facing health care professionals and patients today," said Dr. John M. Eisenberg, Director of AHRQ. "In addition, these reports will enhance our ability to measure and improve the quality and outcomes of health care services."

Eleven topics, assigned to EPCs, were nominated by outside organizations:

• Management of Allergic Rhinitis. New England Medical Center, Boston, MA. Nominated by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
• Autopsy as Ultimate Outcome Measure. University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)-Stanford University, San Francisco, CA. Nominated by the College of American Pathologists.
• Impact of Cancer-related Decision Aids. McMaster University, Ontario, Canada. Nominated by the National Cancer Institute.
• Definition and Management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX. Nominated by the NIH, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
• Diagnosis and Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure. RAND, Santa Monica, CA. Nominated by the American College of Physicians; American Society of Internal Medicine; American Academy of Family Physicians; and Mayo Clinic.
• Criteria to Determine Disability of Infant/Childhood Impairments. New England Medical Center, Boston, MA. Nominated by the Social Security Administration.
• Diagnosis and Management of Parkinson's Disease. MetaWorks, Boston, MA. Nominated by the American Academy of Neurology.
• Management of Post-term Pregnancy. Duke University, Durham, NC. Nominated by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
• Diagnosis and Treatment of Repetitive Motion Disorders. ECRI, Plymouth Meeting, PA. Nominated by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and the Social Security Administration.
• Criteria for Determining Disability of Speech/Language Disorders. Research Triangle Institute and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. Nominated by the Social Security Administration.
• Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Echocardiography and Carotid Ultrasound in the Evaluation and Management of Stroke. Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR. Nominated by the American Academy of Neurology.

Four topics, assigned to EPCs, are part of AHRQ's effort to respond to Congressional requests for specific information.

• Utilization of Physicians' Services. RAND, Santa Monica, CA.
• Methods to Rate the Strength of Scientific Evidence. Research Triangle Institute and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
• Training for a Rare Public Health Event of Bioterrorism. Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
• Role of Decision Support Systems in Disease Management Following a Bioterrorism Event. University of California, San Francisco (UCS)-Stanford University, San Francisco, CA.

For additional information, please contact AHRQ Public Affairs, (301) 427-1364.

Internet Citation:

AHRQ Evidence Practice Centers Examining Parkinson's Disease, Bioterrorism, Stroke, and 12 Other Health Care Topics. Press Release, October 16, 2000. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/news/press/pr2000/epctop00.htm

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